This is the first of many book reviews to come, designed to give you a brief overview of the book, some highlights, and suggestions for usage. Thanks to Natalie Johnson who has been working with the network as an intern for working on this project. She not only wrote the first book review, but she has developed the criteria for other reviewers and has worked with publishers to make books available for reviewers. We could not have done this without her. Thanks, Natalie!
Title: Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God
Author: John Piper
Publisher/Copyright: Crossway, 2010
About the Book:
Piper writes this book as a plea to Christians to understand “thinking” (the activity of the mind) as a means by which we are able to fulfill the Great Commandment—to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. Speaking against the growing number of voices preaching anti-intellectualism, Piper examines the role of the mind in every aspect of coming to, sustaining, and growing in Christian faith. He concludes, “loving God with the mind means that our thinking is wholly engaged to do all it can to awaken and express the heartfelt fullness of treasuring God above all things” (Introduction). This means that the way we use our minds to think is important and should be for the single purpose of holding God above all else (treasuring him and honoring his glory). “Treasuring God is the essence of loving him, and the mind serves this love by comprehending (imperfectly and partially, but truly) the truth and beauty and worth of the Treasure” (Introduction).
The first half of the book deals with defining what Piper means by “thinking” (reading, specifically the Bible), and argues that the mind functions in an individual’s faith journey (from acceptance through growth). The second half of the book deals primarily with the loud cries of those who debunk the use of the mind in the Christian life. Piper speaks specifically to Relativism and the anti-intellectualism that breeds it. Relativism suggests that there are no external, objective standards of truth that apply to all persons in all places; Piper rejects this view and explains seven different harmful and immoral aspects of relativism (chs. 7, 8). He then spends some time expounding Luke 10:21 and 1 Cor 1:20, which ultimately have nothing to do with anti-intellectualism but instead, speak to the issue of one’s disposition: humble/dependent vs. arrogant/proud (chs. 10, 11). Piper states, “The solution to arrogant thinking—educated or uneducated—is not no thinking. It is the right kind of thinking”, enabled by and fully dependent upon God’s grace (ch. 12).
Reviewers Observations:
In a time when thinking seems to be an endangered process, Piper’s book calls Christians to use their minds diligently for the sake of loving God, of being able to apprehend more and more of his glory, in order that we may treasure him above all other things and people. It is a vital plea for people to take seriously the dangers of anti-intellectualism and to understand the biblical view of the role of the mind in the life of the Christian. While Piper is not the only recent author to write in favor of “thinking,” he differentiates his book from theirs by providing a hefty amount of (understandable) biblical exposition. He presents well the dangers of the present age in the U.S., and his urging to stand against the tide of Relativism was (biblically) compelling.
Quotes from the Book:
“The aim of this book is to encourage serious, faithful, humble thinking that leads to the true knowledge of God, which leads to loving him, which overflows in loving others” (Introduction).
“There is no way to awaken faith or strengthen faith that avoids thinking” (ch. 4).
“The only way pride can be conquered in us is for us to believe in Truth and be conquered by it so that it rules us and we don’t rule it” (ch. 8).
Recommended For:
Personal Growth, Small Group/Discussion Group, Leadership Training, Book Study
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I have this book, but haven't gotten around to reading it. I think it will be the book I start next week.
Dave
Wonderful, Dave. I would love to have you add your comments when you're through.
or as you progress thru the book......
Margie Williamson said:
Absolutely, Bryant. That too!
Well, this book will go on my list to purchase with my Christmas gift certificate! With so many Scriptures talking about what we focus our minds on (like Romans 12:2) I can't believe Christians are "anti-thinking"!
I am thankful I finally got to read this review. Especially, I am glad to hear that there is a basis of expostion within the pages of the book. I hope someday to have more time to read this and other books from Piper.
Thanks for the book review! I have a stack of books, as we all do, on my to-read list, this will be helpful in targeting books that are going to elaborate on the topics I am researching.
Another great book by Piper!
Great work! Thanks